A client with heart failure asks how blood pressure and heart rate can be high if the heart is failing. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. "The heart must be recovering."
2. "The blood pressure and heart rate are trying to compensate because the heart cannot pump enough blood."
3. "The blood pressure and heart rate are inaccurate readings."
4. "The client must be excited."
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: In response to decreased cardiac output, the body releases epinephrine and activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure. While this would compensate for lower cardiac output in a normal client, it has a deleterious effect in heart failure, making it worse. This is not a sign that the client's heart is doing better.
Rationale 2: In response to decreased cardiac output, the body releases epinephrine and activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure. While this would compensate for lower cardiac output in a normal client, it has a deleterious effect in heart failure, making it worse.
Rationale 3: There is no reason to suspect the readings are incorrect.
Rationale 4: While excitement could cause sympathetic stimulation, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, there is no indication in the question that the client is excited.
Global Rationale: In response to decreased cardiac output, the body releases epinephrine and activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure. While this would compensate for lower cardiac output in a normal client, it has a deleterious effect in heart failure, making it worse. The client is not recovering and there is no reason to suspect the readings are incorrect. While excitement could cause sympathetic stimulation, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, there is no indication in the question that the client is excited.
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